Vikanes: Vike Church and Mountain Landscape

Vikanes offers two distinct geographical points of reference for planning your trip: nearby Vike Church by the Osterfjord and Dyrkolbotn in Romarheimsdalen. The church combines a cultural connection with a fjord setting; in Dyrkolbotn, the elevation and surrounding mountain areas shape how you find your way around. When planning your stay in Vikanes, these differences can help you decide where to focus: would you rather explore the fjord landscape and church architecture, or mountain areas, trails and seasonal experiences?

Vike Church: Fjord Setting and Church Architecture

Near Vikanes, Vike Church stands on a small promontory immediately west of the former Vikanes ferry landing. It is on the north shore of the Osterfjord, at the entrance to the Romarheimsfjord, and is a single-nave, rectangular long church. The terms describe different aspects of the building: “single-nave” refers to the number of naves, while “rectangular long church” describes the building’s shape. Its good acoustics and beautiful location by the fjord make the church suitable for concerts.

Dyrkolbotn: Valley, Elevation and Historic Route

In Vikanes, Dyrkolbotn lies at an elevation of 350 metres in Romarheimsdalen, in the western part of Stølsheimen. A transport route from Romarheimsdalen to Mo through Dyrkolbotn is marked on an 1864 map. Its elevation places the settlement in both the valley and the mountain region, while the map points to an earlier transport connection. This brings together its geographical setting and the historic route reference.

Getting There and Walking Route

The nearest bus stop to Dyrkolbotn is Dyrkolbotn kryss. From there, it is about a 15-minute walk, or around one kilometre, to the mountain lodge. The walking time and distance refer to the same stretch and are approximate. Check the current timetable separately when planning a bus journey.

The historic route to Mo and the walk to the mountain lodge are separate details: the former is marked on the map, while the latter starts at the Dyrkolbotn kryss bus stop.

Summer Pasture and Seasonal Experiences

At Dyrkolbotn’s summer pasture, 70 goats from Hole gard graze freely on the mountain pastures from July through September. Visitors can try milking the goats. This combination of seasonal grazing and a hands-on activity makes the visit a distinctly time-specific experience.

One described tour to the summer pasture continues after a short drive to Tyssebotn by local scheduled boat to Vikanes or Romarheim. If you plan this tour, check the current timetable for the scheduled boat.

Hiking Trails and Mountain Areas

North and east of Dyrkolbotn are mountain areas that are used year-round and include a local recreation area. There are hiking trails and ski facilities. Unlike the seasonal goat grazing, year-round use refers to the mountain areas as a whole; hiking trails and ski facilities are the specific activities mentioned there. There is also a facility in the area around Dyrkolbotn for school stays.

Discover more destinations: Lindås, Hjelmås, Myking, Eikangervåg, Alverstraumen, Alversund, Hundvin, Seim.

Go to the main travel overview: Lindås.